Out'n'About: Timberon Blues and BBQ Fest

Courtesy Photo
The Timberon Blues and BBQ fest kicks off Saturday. Event run until Sunday. Live music and tasty barbecue will be served up for those in attendance. (null)

Imagine listening to relaxing blues music while surrounded by tall, majestic pines and the cool mountain air.

This weekend the Timberon Blues and BBQ Festival will allow this dream to become a reality. The festival is taking place Saturday and Sunday in Timberon, N.M. which is about 45 minutes away from Cloudcroft.

Expect a lineup of different blues bands on both days along with a variety of food and arts vendors.

"Our goal is to introduce people to Timberon and get them interested in the town," said Rick Merrick, president pro-tempore of the Timberon Development Council.

Courtesy Photo/Everett Putney
Live music will play throughout the festival as guest enjoy all the gathering has to offer. (null)

This year's festival is the town's second, and the Timberon Development Council has been hard at work organizing the two-day event. The council's main job within the town is to implement efforts that enhance the community.

The festival is the last one of these events for the summer that is aimed towards building community around Timberon.

"Our hope is to get people out here," Merrick said. "It's a lot of fun and we want to see it grow."

Both days are packed with live-music events, which audiences can enjoy in the surrounding picnic tables or seating underneath tents.

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Merrick says a majority of the bands will be traveling from either Las Cruces or El Paso. Some of the acts in this year's line up, include: Don Gabbert, James T. Baker, Cold Cash, Black Jack, Timberwolf, Eddie And The Impacts and Kat Crosby Band. The second day of the festival will feature CW Ayon, BluePoetSouls, Blue Moon Praire and Sam Barlow.

Merrick will be playing in his own band, Timberwolf, where he serves as the group's drummer. Timberwolf's main focus is blues music, but Merrick described the group as a variety band that constantly undergoes dynamic changes.

The weekend's event will also feature local vendors and barbecue from El Paso by way of Mo'Z BBQ.

Other vendors at the event, include local artists, which Merrick said benefit greatly from the brief influx of tourists.

"Our local bar and grill also sets up for the event and their beer tent brings them a lot of business," he said.

Timberon is a very small town of about 450 people, and the population more than doubles during the weekend of the festival. The added tourists bring much needed attention to the town and allow visitors to see the potential in Timberon.

"You plant the seed in 1,000 people and get them interested in the town," Merrick said. "However, the town speaks for itself."

Tourists expecting to stay all weekend have a couple of lodging options. There is camping available near Timberon and reservations can be made by contacting the Timberon Development Council at 575-987-2464.

Visitors can also stay at any of the hotels located in Cloudcroft, which is a short drive from Timberon.

The festival will take place in front of Timberon Lodge, which is located at the center of town.

"It's a time to relax in the mountains and we hope people go away with memories," Merrick said.

Tickets are $15 per day, free for kids 12 and younger and 20 percent off for active military (must be purchased at gate). For information, visit timberonbluesfestival.com or timberon.org.

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